Welcome to our new Professional Football Blog entitled StandOUT Scouting.
Throughout the 2010 NFL/College Football seasons, we will be posting articles, opinions, player evaluations, and various information on all things football related.
We look forward to get the ball rolling and hope you join us for the ride...

Monday, October 27, 2008

So far in the 2008 NFL Season, 58 Quaterbacks have taken at least 1 snap. Of the 32 teams in the league, only 23 teams are currently starting their Week 1 QB.

The San Francisco 49ers entered the season with new Offensive Coordinator Mike Martz orchestrating a QB battle between former 2005 1st Round Draft pick Alex Smith and six-year back-up QB Shaun Hill. Enter journeyman QB J.T. O'Sullivan during Training Camp, who took the job away due to his quick instincts, fast release and accurate arm. Smith would go on season-ending Injured Reserve with a hurt shoulder.

But after 8 weeks as the starting QB and a dismal 2-6 record, O'Sullivan and his 74.0 QB rating, 1,678 passing yards, 8 TD and 11 INT (and league leading 11 fumbles and 32 times sacked) was benched in favor of back up QB Shaun Hill at halftime of last week's 34-13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

Hill went 15 for 23; 173 passing yards and 1 TD in two quarters of play. Last season, Hill came in late in the year to start 2 games and lead the 49ers to a 2-0 record as the QB, before suffering a season ending finger injury in Week 16.

Enter new 49ers Head Coach Mike Singletary. The former Hall of Fame Linebacker is looking to turn around the San Francisco franchise and announced today that Shaun Hill will be his QB and man to lead this team.

"We're going to go in that direction," Singletary said before getting in his car and leaving for the day. "We just felt like right now Shaun gave us the best chance of winning. ... It's just a good decision all around right now."

With the 49ers on a BYE for Week9, Hill will get his first shot in the Week 10 Monday Night Football match up at division rival Arizona on November 10th.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

-“Winning solves all problems”: After a week of turmoil in Big D this past week, the Cowboys were able to squeak out a 13-9 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. WR Roy Williams got his first TD, the offense did not commit a turnover, and punter Sam Paulescu (playing for the injured Matt McBriar) made a momentum changing tackle over Buccs return man Clifton Smith that sparked the entire team. While the Cowboys may still be a mess, this helps sooth the pain before heading to play the defending champion New York Giants next week.

-“What do you mean you didn’t start Seahawks FB Leonard Weaver in Fantasy Football this week?!”: The man wearing neon green shoes had 4 catches for 116 yards and 2 TD in Seattle’s 34-13 win over San Francisco. Weaver is the first receiver to reach the 100-yard mark for the Seahawks this season; taking 7 games to do so.

-“Title Bout: Manning vs. Roethlisberger”: This battle of 2004 1st rounder Super Bowl wining quarterbacks, scheduled for 60 minutes, came down to a defensive battle and a back-up long snapper. Despite Big Ben’s 4 INT, the Steelers were up 14-12 deep into the forth quarter before replacement long snapper LB James Harrison (playing for the injured Greg Warren) sailed a snap over the punter’s head for a Safety to tie the game up at 14 a piece. Giants QB Eli Manning hit a wide open TE Kevin Boss for a TD to seal the game 21-14 and stake their claim as the NFL’s best team.

-“Joe Flacco, master of all trades?!”: The Baltimore Ravens rookie QB can do it all. He was 12 for 24 for 140 yards passing and 1 TD; he racked up 23 yards on 4 carries and scored a rushing TD, and oh wait, pulled in a 43 yard catch from back-up QB Troy Smith to lead the Ravens to a 29-10 win over the Oakland Raiders. Before we know it, LB Ray Lewis will have him playing defense.

-“If you don’t think I’m the best WR, then you better check your references!” –Carolina Panthers WR Steve Smith to NFL Films: After further investigation, we are starting to agree with Smith as he pulled in 5 catches for 117 yards and 2 touchdowns in the 27-23 win over the Arizona Cardinals. He also gets ‘brownie points’ for giving his first TD ball to fellow teammate FS Ken Lucas, whom he was suspended 2 games earlier this season for a training camp fight.

-“Detroit Lions = every team’s Homecoming Game”: The silver and gray extended their NFC best ‘losing’ streak to 7 games after falling 25-17 to the Washington Redskins. The Lions gave up 439 total yards with the Skin’s QB Jason Campbell tossing for 328 yards, RB Clinton Portis rushing for 126 yards and WR Santana Moss receiving 140 yards. Moss also took a punt return 80 yards to the house to seal the deal in the 4th quarter. Are the Lions heading to 0-16?

-“Ted Ginn Jr., welcome to the NFL!”: The Miami Dolphins 1st round draft pick in 2007 stuck it to his critics (who have begun labeling him with the ‘B-word’ aka BUST) to rack in 7 catches for 175 yards in the team’s 25-16 win over the Buffalo Bills. The former Ohio State playmaker looked very Buckeye-esq. busting out a 64 yard reception from QB Chad Pennington. The Dolphins have been waiting for someone to step up at WR and they may have found their man.

-“Is that David Beckham playing QB for the New Orleans Saints or Drew Brees?!”: The London, England fans couldn’t tell the difference because their ‘home game’ QB Brees decided to light up Wembley Stadium for 339 yards and 3 TD in the Saints 37-32 win over San Diego. The potential league MVP showed 83,000+ London ‘chaps’ why the Chargers should never have let him go in the first place.

-“Best Post Game News Conference Award” goes to new 49ers Head Coach Mike Singletary: After getting spanked 34-13 by the Seattle Seahawks, the former Hall of Fame Linebacker gave a passionate and inspiring media session discussing why he benched his QB JT O’Sullivan and why he needed to apologize to fans. In regards to TE Vernon Davis who was told to leave the game in the 4th quarter, Singletary told him “he'd do a better job for us right now by taking a shower and coming back and watching the game than going back in the game, simple as that." Well, at least he didn’t tell them to “crown their @$$” like Dennis Green would have…

-Answer: FALSE; Cleveland Browns RB Jamal Lewis has yet to break 100 yards this season, but he did log 81 yards on 20 carries and a TD in the Browns 23-17 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

-“What do the numbers 11, 7 and 3 have in common?”: According to New York Jets QB Brett Favre, (11) represents his league leading INT total, (7) of which have come in his past three games and (3) that ended up in the Kansas Chiefs hands on Sunday. Despite the turnovers, the 18th year ‘ageless wonder’ was able to squeak out 290 yards passing and 2 TD in the 28-24 comeback win over the Chiefs.

-The “Energizer Bunny Award” goes to Houston Texans WR Andre Johnson: The stud WR from the ‘U’ pulled in 11 catches for 143 yards in a lopsided 35-6 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. In the past month (4 games), Johnson has recorded 41 receptions for 593 yards and 2 TD. He keeps going, and going, and going…

-And Finally…

-“Sorry Matt Ryan, but Sunday belonged to the city of Philadelphia”: Not only did the Eagles usher in a 27-14 win over the Atlanta Falcons, but the Phillies won Game 4 of the Major League World Series 10-2 over the Tampa Bay Rays. Also, the NHL hockey Philadelphia Flyers won 3-2 over the New Jersey Devils. And if you didn’t care for sports than you were probably rocking out to Classic Rock Legends “The Who” playing next door at the Philadelphia Wachovia Center. Somebody get me a Cheese Steak!

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Start: RB Willis McGahee (BAL); The Raiders are giving up 136.2 yards rushing/game (4.6 yards/rush); has a sore knee but looking to capitalize on 105 yard 1 TD game last Sunday.

Sit: RB Justin Fargas (OAK); The Ravens have not allowed a 100-yard rusher in 25 straight games, the longest current streak in the NFL.

Sleeper: WR Derrick Mason (BAL); He leads the Ravens with 33 receptions this season and is averaging 91.3 yards/game against the Raiders in his last 4 games.

(4-2) Arizona at (5-2) Carolina

Start: WR Steve Smith (CAR); Expect a lot of play-action passes downfield to Smith from QB Delhomme; he’s caught 6 passes in each of last four games; has at least 96 yards in each of those.

Sit: QB Kurt Warner (ARI); Playing against a Panthers defense that ranks #2 in the league against the pass (168.7 yards/game); will have to battle DE Julius Peppers on his blindside (4.5 sacks in last 4 games vs. Arizona).

Sleeper: WR Anquan Boldin (ARI); Will be a game-time decision, but would provide match-up problems for the Panthers; averaging 13.6 yards/catch

(5-2) Tampa Bay at (4-3) Dallas

Start: WR Antonio Bryant (TB); Playing against Dallas who drafted him in the 2nd round in 2002; Dallas is missing 3 starters in the secondary; averaging 13.1 yards/catch

Sit: QB Brad Johnson (DAL); Playing against a Buccaneer defense that ranks 2nd in the league in INT (12); threw 3 INT against a weaker St. Louis defense last week

Sleeper: QB Jeff Garcia (TB); He is 42 for 56 for 483 yards 2 TD and 0 INT in last 2 games since being named starter; playing against a banged up 16th ranked Cowboys defense

(5-2) Washington at (0-6) Detroit

Start: QB Jason Campbell (WAS); Playing against the 31st ranked pass defense in the league (251.2 yards/game); still has not thrown an INT in 2008

Sit: WR Calvin Johnson (DET); Only had 2 receptions last week; playing against a tough Redskins secondary who is only allowing 5.9 yards/catch

Sleeper: WR Santana Moss (WAS); Has slowed down over the past few weeks; is due for a big game against a weak Lions defense

(5-1) Buffalo at (2-4) Miami

Start: RB Ronnie Brown (MIA); After a tough week in Baltimore, expect the running back to rebound against a Bills defense that is allowing 107.2 yards/game.

Sit: TE Robert Royal (BUF); Expect the Bills to hold the tight end in to block more against a Dolphins defense that has 15 sacks this season

Sleeper: WR Lee Evans (BUF); Has eight career touchdowns against the Dolphins; is averaging 21.7 yards/catch this season

(2-4) St. Louis at (4-2) New England

Start: QB Marc Bulger (STL); The QB has renewed life under his new head coach; while only throwing for a combined 299 yards in last two games, will throw the ball more against a Rodney Harrison-less Patriots secondary.

Sit: RB Steven Jackson (STL); Is the team’s leading receiver and rusher; has a strained right thigh muscle and will be a game-time decision; he may get limited reps regardless this week

Sleeper: WR Wes Welker (NE); Has recorded at least 6 receptions in each of the past 10 games; has 23 catches in last 3 games

(3-4) San Diego at (3-4) New Orleans

Start: QB Drew Brees (NO); He is a must-start every week, but expect him to rebound from last week with his first game against his old Chargers team; SD is the league worst 32nd ranked against the pass (254.6 yards/game)

Sit: RB LaDainian Tomlinson (SD); Is averaging only 2.9 yards/carry over the past 3 games (50 yards/game); seems to still be bothered by his nagging toe injury

Sleeper: WR Malcom Floyd (SD); The special teams star has been begging all year for a chance to play WR; has 7 catches for 140 yards and 2 TD in past two games starting for injured WR Chris Chambers

(1-5) Kansas City at (3-3) New York Jets

Start: RB Thomas Jones (NY); The recipe for success against the Chiefs is to run the ball; Jones as been hot averaging 6.6 yards/carry in last game

Sit: QB Brett Favre (NY); The game plan should be to run the ball, Favre has 1 TD and 4 INT in last two games against the Bengals and Raiders; has thrown 4 INT in 3 home games this year

Sleeper: Tony Gonzalez (KC); Had 6 catches for 97 yards last week since the trade deadline; look for a young QB Thigpen to look for the future Hall of Fame tight end a lot on Sunday

(4-2) Atlanta at (3-3) Philadelphia

Start: QB Donovan McNabb (PHI); A week off should bring RB Westbrook and WR Curtis back to the field; has a 93.2 QB rating and is 3-0 lifetime against the Falcons

Sit: QB Matt Ryan (ATL); “Matty-Ice” has been extraordinary this year, but expect a tough Eagles crowd and defense to slow him down; the Eagles defense will blitz often against the rookie

Sleeper: WR Kevin Curtis (PHI); The receiver is coming off an injury (hernia) and hopes to make some explosive plays this weekend against a 26th ranked Falcons pass defense (231.7 yards/game).

Start: RB Chris Johnson & RB LenDale White (TEN); Normally when a team has 2 running backs it’s a fantasy nightmare, but the Titans backs are both racking up big yards and will play a suspect Colts run defense at home

Sit: QB Kerry Collins (TEN); The Titans will game plan to run the ball and may take the ball out of Collins hands against the 3rd ranked pass defense of the Colts (175.5 yards/game).

Sleeper: Titans Defense; The Titans are the #3 ranked defense in the NFL (268.5 yards/game) and rank 3rd in INT (10); this will not be intimidated by a struggling QB Peyton Manning Colts offense

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Start: WR Vincent Jackson (SD); While WR Chambers should be back, Jackson is the new favorite target for QB Rivers. He should have some favorable match ups against the Bills secondary.

Sit: QB Phillip Rivers (SD); Traveling across country is tough on any team, but look for the Chargers to run the ball more against the Bills Tampa 2 scheme and eighth best pass defense (184.8 yards/game).

Sleeper: QB Trent Edwards (BUF); The offense is a lot more productive with Edwards and are glad to have him back from injury. He also should have WR threat Roscoe Parrish back as well.

(3-3) New Orleans at (4-2) Carolina

Start: QB Drew Brees (NO); Even against a tough Panthers Defense on the road, you have to continue to start one of the NFL hottest fantasy players; may get TE Shockey and WR Colston back.

Sit: WR Devery Henderson (NO); Could be the odd man out this week at WR for the Saints.

Sleeper: WR Marques Colston (NO); This will be the first game back for the star WR who has been out with a finger injury. If he does play, he will be a big target for QB Brees and have a big game.

(2-3) Minnesota at (2-3) Chicago

Start: RB Adrian Peterson (MIN); More than likely Peterson is in your line-up every week, but look for the Vikings to give him the ball a lot and hope for another big game against Chicago on the ground.

Sit: RB Matt Forte (CHI); There is no doubt that Forte will get his 20-25 carries this week, but is playing against a stout Vikings defensive line ranked 4th (allowing only 73.7 yards/game rushing).

Sleeper: WR Bernard Berrian (MIN); Has 110 and 131 yards in each of the past two games. He will get a chance to play against his old team in Chicago, an incentive that makes fantasy owners smile.

(4-1) Pittsburgh at (0-6) Cincinnati

Start: WR Hines Ward (PIT); Ward is due for a big game and usually plays very well against the Bengals. He is averaging 13.2 yards/catch.

Sit: Bengals Offense Players; With Carson Palmer still out with an injury, the Steelers should have a field day with their division opponent. No run game will be hard on the Bengals pass attack.

Sleeper: RB Willie Parker (PIT); Parker is still nursing an MCL sprain on his knee and is day-to-day. If he is a go for Sunday, expect him to get a lot of touches with Big Ben still banged up.

(5-0) Tennessee at (1-4) Kansas City

Start: RB Chris Johnson (TEN; Despite sharing carries with fellow RB LenDale White, expect the Titans to run the ball often against the Chiefs league worst rushing defense (182.2 yards/game).0A

Sit: RB Larry Johnson (KC); The star running back will be inactive for the game due to a one-game suspension for assault charges.

Sleeper: Titans Defense; Not really considered a sleeper, ranked 4th in league defense (allowing 267.8 yards/game), but expect some sacks, an INT or two and a couple turnovers against a weak KC offense.

(2-3) Baltimore at (2-3) Miami

Start: Dolphins Defense; Miami has quietly put together a tough defense and will look to capitalize at home against a rookie QB Joe Flacco who has only 1 TD and 7 INT this season.

Sit: RB Ronnie Brown (MIA); Do not start a RB against the Ravens defense, period. The Dolphins ‘wildcat offense’ may throw them off a little; expect the Ravens linebackers to keep Brown in check.

=0 ASleeper: TE Anthony Fasano (MIA); The Ravens gave up 9 catches for 91 yards to the Titans Tight End’s last week. It could be the weakness in the defense that the Dolphins are looking for.

(2-4) San Francisco at (4-1) New York Giants

Start: WR Amani Toomer (NY); If you’re looking for a BYE week wide receiver, Toomer always has great games against the 49ers Defense.

Sit: TE Vernon Davis (SF); While Davis had a good game against the Eagles last week (6 catches 76 yards) expect him to be held in to block more against an aggressive Giants Defensive Line.

Sleeper: QB J.T. O’Sullivan (SF); This is a make/break game for the 49ers. While O’Sullivan has struggled in last 3 games (59.6 QB rating), never count out a Mike Martz led offense.

(4-2) Dallas at (1-4) St. Louis Rams

Start: RB Marion Barber III (DAL); With fellow RB Felix Jones out and a new QB in Brad Johnson, expect the bulk of the load to fall on Barber, especially if Dallas jumps out to a big lead.

Sit: WR Roy Williams (DAL); The newly acquired WR for the Cowboys should see the field a little this Sunday, don’t expect him to be a legit fantasy threat yet after only a week of practice.

Sleeper: WR Torry Holt (STL); Once upon a time Holt was considered a ‘must start’ each week. Expect Bulger to look for Holt often against a banged up Dallas secondary.

(0-5) Detroit at (1-4) Houston

Start: QB Matt Schaub (HOU); He is playing a Lions Defense that is ranked 30th in the league against the pass (250.6 yards/game) and whom gave up 350 yards last week to QB Gus Frerotte (MIN).

Sit: RB Ahman Green (HOU); Expect fellow running back Steve Slaton to continue to get a lot more of the carries out of the backfield. Green is averaging just 10 touches per game right now.

Sleeper: TE Owen Daniels (HOU); Over the last 3 games, Daniels has 16 catches for 207 yards and is averaging 13.4 yards/catch. Look for a breakout game against the Lions secondary.

(3-2) Indianapolis at (3-3) Green Bay

Start: WR Reggie Wayne (IND); Wayne is coming off a monster game against the Ravens defense (8 catches 118 yards TD) and looks to take advantage of a Packers secondary without CB Al Harris.

Sit: RB Ryan Grant (GB); It has been a miserable start of the season for Grant. While he had 33 carries last week, he only averaged 2.7 yards/carry. He has ZERO touchdowns on the year.

Sleeper: RB Dominic Rhodes (IND); With RB Joseph Addai out, Rhodes will get the bulk of the carries for the Colts. While this game will be Manning vs. Rodgers, Rhodes should have a solid day.

(3-2) New York Jets at (1-4) Oakland

Start: QB Brett Favre (NYJ); The ageless wonder is having a terrific season (103.0 QB rating; 13 TD 6 INT) and is playing a Raiders secondary that gave up 320 passing yards last week.

Sit: QB JaMarcus Russell (OAK); If you are starting Russell because of a BYE, then look for someone else. He will not have 35 pass attempts against NY like he did last week at New Orleans.

Sleeper: WR Laveranues Coles (NYJ); While he is nursing a sore thigh, Coles is looking for his third straight game with at least 100-yards receiving against the Raiders.

(2-3) Cleveland at (4-2) Washington

Start: RB Clinton Portis (WAS); Portis is one of the best players in fantasy football right now. After losing to the Rams last week, expect the Redskins to get back to smash mouth football with Portis.

Sit: WR Braylon Edwards (CLE); Despite having 154 receiving yards last week against the Giants, Edwards will be matched up against CB Shawn Springs; whom has already shut down Terrell Owens and Anquan Boldin this season.

Sleeper: TE Kellen Winslow (CLE); He is out of the hospital and should play against the Redskins. Expect the talented tight end=2 0to call for the ball a lot after missing last weeks win over the Giants.

(1-4) Seattle at (4-2) Tampa Bay

Start: RB Earnest Graham (TB); Coach Jon Gruden said that Graham will be the man again this week against Seattle. He will split carries but has scored a touchdown in 6 straight home games.

Sit: RB Julius Jones (SEA); Tampa Bay is allowing only 89 yards/game and will be too much for a weak Seattle offensive line. The Seahawks never play well when traveling across country either.

Sleeper: WR Antonio Bryant (TB); Bryant has slowly emerged as the go-to guy for the Buccaneers with WR Joey Galloway injured. Expect QB Jeff Garcia to look for Bryant a lot against the Seahawks.

(4-2) Denver at (3-2) New England0A

Start: RB Michael Pittman (DEN); After rushing for 109 yards last week against the Jaguars, Pittman should get the start with RB’s Selvin Young (groin) and Ryan Torain not due back till next week.

Sit: RB Laurence Maroney (NE); He still has a banged up shoulder and did not practice this week. He should be limited in the game against the Broncos.

Sleeper: WR Wes Welker (NE); QB Matt Cassel is going to need Welker against the Broncos with a banged up back field. Denver is last in the league against the pass (255.5 yards/game) and Welker should match up well in the slot.